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Abeja Popular

Abeja is located on a century-old farmstead in the breathtaking foothills of the Blue Mountains, four miles east of Walla Walla, Washington.

History

Owner: Ken Harrison

Winery Philosophy: Quality First !

After more than 35 years in the business community of Portland, Oregon, Ken and Ginger Harrison decided to embark upon a new adventure. It was Ken's passion for Cabernet Sauvignon and the climate for growing this varietal that brought the Harrisons to Walla Walla. While Ken pursues his love of wine as grower and producer, Ginger applies her gracious hand to operating their small Inn.

John Abbott and Molly Galt met Ken and Ginger Harrison in 2002, completing the partnership. John began his career in the Napa Valley straight out of college at Pine Ridge and later at Acacia Winery. In 1994, he and Molly moved to Walla Walla to begin Canoe Ridge Vineyard, where he was the winemaker for nearly ten years and she was in charge of all on-site marketing and public relations.

Winery/Vineyards

Varietals Produced: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot

Winemaker: Rob Chowanietz has been the head winemaker. Starting in January 2016, he will be replaced by Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler.

Abeja is the Spanish name for bee. They chose this name for its simple beauty and its reminder of times past when farming implied a respect for the environment and a close connection to the earth. They believe that each day they can make a difference in the quality of the care of the land. Their desire is to farm softly and to minimize the impact on the land they farm. The honeybee symbolizes this idea because they are so affected by how they farm and so important to a complete and healthy cycle of agriculture.

The vineyards have been certified to meet the requirements of sustainable farming methods by LIVE, Salmon Safe, and Vinea.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is an exciting wine that will be one we are talking about for many years to come. It is a wonderful combination of sturdy structure and polished ﬁnesse. Balanced tannins and acidity provide the structure needed for excellent aging and will reward those who tuck it away for a bit. This could well be the best Columbia Valley Cabernet we have released. It will be really fun to watch this wine unfold.

The nose leads off with plum, bright blackberry, and dark bing cherries. A touch of dried blueberry rounds out the fruit proﬁle. Floral notes and cocoa, with nuances of cedar and spice, are sprinkled throughout. All of these characters follow through on the palate and, with a pleasant minerality and continuity, weave a tapestry of complexity and youthful exuberance.

Aged 20 months in 100% French, medium toast; 60% new, 40% one & two year old

Pairings

Pair this Cabernet Sauvignon with lamb. Also recommend duck or goose breast on a bed of grains with wild mushrooms.

Reviews

2014 Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley - 93 PTS - VINOUS

"Bright, dark red. Ripe aromas of currant, black cherry, licorice, fresh herbs and dark chocolate, lifted by a floral element. Plush and seamless but laid-back, conveying a restrained sweetness to its creamy flavors of currant, mocha and licorice. This wine didn't display quite the sweetness, horizontality or length of the 2015 Merlot on first pour but it expanded beautifully with 48 hours in the recorked bottle without losing its spring. A very suave Cabernet with excellent aging potential. - Stephen Tanzer"- Vinous (October 2017), 93 pts

2012 Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley - 91 PTS - WA

"The 2012 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is brilliant. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 23 months in 60% new French oak, it boasts classic Cabernet notes of dark currants, crushed rock, bouquet garni and earth. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine that has good concentration, nicely integrated acidity and tons of character. Like a lot of 2012s, there’s enough texture and fruit here to keep it enjoyable, but it will also age beautifully. Drink 2017-2032. - Jeb Dunnuck"- The Wine Advocate (erobertparker.com, June 2015), 91 pts

"Good enough to be a reserve, this includes just 4% Merlot and the rest is all Cabernet. Smooth and supple, with lovely toasty aromatics, it layers rich cherry fruit against the lush barrel spices. A companionable wine, already drinking beautifully, but perfectly fine to cellar for up to a decade. - PG"

"The fruit for the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley came from the Sagemoor and Red Mountain vineyards. The wine is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it sports a fragrant perfume of toasty oak, mineral, cassis, violets, and blackberry. Round, rich, and concentrated on the palate, this lengthy effort will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and will offer optimum drinking from 2013 to 2023"

2011 Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley - 92 PTS - WS

"Taut and focused, offering a sleek mouthful of licorice-accented blackberry and coffee flavors that come together seamlessly on the polished finish. This has a sense of elegance. Drink now through 2021. 1,740 cases made. –HS"- Wine Spectator (October 15th 2014), 92 pts